Community Mobilizes to Realize New Arts Centre – June 18, 2019

For Immediate Release
June 18, 2019

The newly formed Kamloops Centre for the Arts Society introduced themselves to Kamloops City Council today in an effort to describe the active role the Society will play in the creation of a new Kamloops Centre for the Arts.

The purpose of the Society is to participate in and promote the establishment, development and construction of a multi-use facility for the arts in the City of Kamloops.

Mr. Ron Fawcett first addressed Council and explained that he was pleased that Arts, Culture and Heritage are areas of focus in the City’s new Corporate Strategic Plan and specifically, Cultural Infrastructure. He also referenced the closing of the Sagebrush Theatre earlier this year and the enormous impact the closure had on so many organizations—big and small—in Kamloops. Mr. Fawcett then spoke of the launch of the Society that will help advance the Centre for the Arts.

Brenda Aynsley, a Board member of the Society, addressed Council following Mr. Fawcett and acknowledged other members of the Board who were in attendance. As a community-based organization, the Board members come from a wide variety of backgrounds with a range of different skill sets. Current Board members include: Tyson Andrykew, Brenda Aynsley, Barbara Berger, Dennis Clare, Fiona Chan, Margaret Chrumka, Alisa Coquet, Paul Dagg, Kathy Humphreys, James MacDonald, Marilyn McLean, and Daniela O’Fee.

Ms. Aynsley explained the Society looks forward to working with the City of Kamloops to advance the creation of the Centre for the Arts with six initial goals:

1. Develop a new business case for the Centre
2. Develop a communications strategy
3. Actively enlist community support
4. Work with other levels of government
5. Provide input into the design of the project
6. Execute a fundraising plan

The Society’s first priority is a new business case which they plan to present to City Council later this summer. The business case will provide recommendations such as site-specific design, development potential and costs; proposed operating model; and impact (economic, cultural, tourism, employment and community).

“This is an exciting time for Kamloops,” says Board member Brenda Aynsley. “We have an opportunity to realize a Centre that this community needs and see it realized in a way that supports our existing arts groups, grows with us and provides economic and social benefits into the future”.

For more information, please contact Board members:

Brenda Aynsley
c. 778-997-0676

– OR –

Kathy Humphreys
c. 250-318-4868

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